The Otago Regional Council has been given approval to begin work on its $18 million office building at the Otago Harbour steamer basin.
The Dunedin City Council approved a notice of requirement for designation for the regional council, meaning that, subject to Environment Court appeals, the regional council can operate its activities from the site.
Corporate services director Wayne Scott said last week if the process was not slowed by an appeal, construction could begin as early as September.
It was not clear last week whether an appeal would be forthcoming, as Dunedin marine engineering company Ferrum Engineering general manager Ian Kemp said he had not seen the decision, and would not decide whether to appeal until he had.
Ferrum has opposed the project because of concerns the building would adversely affect the slipway the company leases.
The company appealed to the Environment Court late last year, opposing the designation process, but was not successful.
The city council's decision recommended the regional council submit an outline plan for the building, including final design, landscaping and urban design elements.
Before construction, the ORC had to submit a site operation plan for management of operations of the building and the slipway.
As part of that, it had to develop a communication protocol so the ORC and the slipway operators were aware in advance of the others' outdoor activities.
Mr Scott said the ORC was working on detailed designs, and he expected demolition on the site to start in June.
Detailed costings would be available for councillors in September.
The hearings committee of city councillors Colin Weatherall, Richard Walls and hearings commissioner Roger Tasker said in the decision it was satisfied the slipway could remain operational, and would not be adversely affected by the ORC building.
While submitters were concerned the building would take up valuable land needed for industry, the committee accepted evidence the 1.1ha site "would not be significant".
Noise effects would be less than minor, traffic had been adequately addressed, and there was significant open space for the public in the plan.
The committee preferred the evidence of the ORC's consultants on sea level rise.
"Overall, the committee formed the view that the proposed [building] had been appropriately designed to address the threat of sea level rise or natural hazards such as tsunami or earthquakes."
